Sheffield United 1-2 Fleetwood Town: Match Report and Player Ratings

Sheffield United 1 – 2 Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town came away with all three points from their first ever visit to Bramall Lane, a result which virtually ends Sheffield United’s ambitions of automatic promotion.

With 25 minutes on the clock Fleetwood’s Jamie Proctor fed Josh Morris whose left footed strike beat Iain Turner in the United goal at his near post.

Ten minutes later Nick Haugton had doubled the lead. His free-kick struck the wall and rebounded straight back to him. After taking a touch, he had time to line up an unchallenged shot from outside the box which beat Turner in similar fashion to the first goal.

United pulled one back on 39 minutes when Matty Done glanced a header home from inside the six-yard box, after Chris Basham had forced his way onto the end of Jamie Murphy’s cross.

The second half saw United dominate possession without creating many significant chances.

The win leaves Fleetwood within touching distance of the Play-Offs and a chance of an unprecedented 7th promotion in 11 years.

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Sheffield United

Iain Turner A spectator for most of the match, he was beaten at his near post twice.

4.0

Bob Harris Heavily involved in lots of attacks, but his final ball was often blocked or lacking accuracy. A few shaky moments defensively too.

5.0

Jay McEverly Inconsistent distribution. Won his fair share of headers.

6.0

Chris Basham Dominant in the air at the back. Pushed up front late on and had a couple of opportunities to set up chances.

7.0

John Brayford Saw plenty of the ball but failed to deliver any quality. All too often forced backwards when in an attacking position.

6.5

Paul Coutts Plenty of endeavor in an unfamiliar position. Reluctant to take on the left-back and get to the by-line.

5.5

Jose Baxter Occasional magical passes, but all too often played blind passes and conceded possession. Yet to find his best position.

5.5

Michael Doyle Typically combative. Likes to play a simple pass. An attempt in each half clawed over the bar by the Fleetwood keeper.

6.5

Jamie Murphy Countless runs to the by-line. His cross led to the goal. He had a good shout for a penalty in the second half.

8.0

Steve Davies Impressive debut. He held the ball up well and chased lost causes.

7.5

Matty Done On form striker notched his 5th goal in 7 appearances. Very few opportunities to add to this, despite United’s abundance of possession.

7.5

Substitutions

Che Adams Briefly appeared on the left wing, then went on the right. Too often he cut inside and over-ran the ball.

6.5

Marc McNulty Played a neat 1-2 with Bob Harris, but his shot from distance went wide.

6.5

Kieran Wallace He had three opportunities to cross during his brief appearance – each of them lacked any quality.

4.0

Fleetwood Town

Chris Maxwell Dealt with most of the crosses that strayed into the six-yard box. Took time-wasting to another level and earned a booking because of this.

6.5

Adam Chicksen Showed his attacking prowess with a mazy run in the first half. Effective defending throughout, often forcing United back inside.

7.5

Stephen Jordan Former Sheffiield United player will have been disappointed to go off early with a hamstring injury.

7.0

Mark Roberts He knows his strengths and plays to them. He was dominant in the air and hoofed it when needed.

7.5

Stewart Murdoch Unadventurous play throughout. Did his job though – sitting in front of the back 4 and playing it simple.

6.5

Steven Schumacher Bursts of quality, but intermittent. Took an age over a free-kick only to over-hit it.

6.5

Josh Morris Long-term loanee from Blackburn got Fleetwood’s first goal. He also caused problems running with the ball and earning free-kicks.

7.5

Nick Haughton Tricky and skillful with the ball. Excellent finish for what turned out to be the winner.

8.0

Gareth Evans Most of his runs resulted in him ending up on the floor appealing for a foul.